First trimester Screening
what is the first trimester screening?
how is first
trimester screening
performed?
First trimester screening
combines a maternal blood
sample with an ultrasound
evaluation of the early
developing fetus. By combining
the results of the blood test, the
ultrasound evaluation and the
maternal age, the risk of having
a pregnancy affected with Down
syndrome or Edward syndrome
can be determined.
why am i being
referred for this test?
First trimester screening requires
specialized training, certification,
and state-of-the-art ultrasound
equipment usually only available
at specialized prenatal diagnostic
centers.
First trimester screening is a non-invasive test that provides a pregnant woman with
information about her risk of having a baby with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edward
syndrome (trisomy 18).
Who is at risk for having a child with down syndrome
or edward syndrome?
Every pregnancy is at some risk of being affected with Down syndrome or Edward
syndrome. While most people think that only women who are 35 years of age or older
are at risk for having a pregnancy affected with Down syndrome, the majority of Down
syndrome cases occur in women less than 35 years of age (because that is the age group
that has the most pregnancies). Still, per pregnancy, advancing maternal age equates to
increased risk of having a pregnancy affected with trisomy 21 or trisomy 18.
how accurate is first trimester screening?
The accuracy of first trimester screening is approximately 85 percent with a false positive
rate of approximately 5 percent. That means that approximately 85 of 100 affected
pregnancies will be identified as “screen positive” and approximately 5 percent of normal
pregnancies will be identified as being at risk. It is important to know that a negative
screening test does not completely rule out the chances that a pregnancy will be affected
with Down syndrome — it merely gives a risk assessment.
Are there alternative screening tests?
The only alternative screening is a maternal serum test performed between 15 and 20
weeks, otherwise know as “maternal serum screening test” of “AFP test”. The accuracy is
approximately that of the first trimester screen but results are provided at least 4 weeks later
in a pregnancy that the first trimester screening test.
What i the difference between a screening test and a
diagnostic test?
A screening test provides a risk assessment while a diagnostic test provides a definitive
result. For example, a first trimester screening test will provide a result that identifies the
odds a pregnancy will be affected with Down syndrome with an amniocentesis or chorionic
villus sample will provide a definitive “yes” or “no” answer.
DOes first trimester screening detect other
abnormalities?
Yes. Although not part of the exam, numerous other abnormalities are detected at the time
of the first trimester screen. This is largely due to the high resolution ultrasound equipment
used to perform the first trimester screen.
Diablo Valley Perinatal Associates
Jeffrey Traynor, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.; Rosa Won, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
110 Tampico Dr., Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 TEL (925) 891-9033 FAX: (925) 891-9066
©2011 Diablo Valley Perinatal Associates
Directions
680
N. MAIN

110 TAMPICO DRIVE

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JOHN MUIR
SUITE 100
MEDICAL CENTER
WALNUT CREEK, CA 94598
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FROM THE SOUTH BAY

Follow I-680 North to Walnut Creek.
Take the Ygnacio Valley Rd exit.
Turn right onto Ygnacio Valley Rd.
Turn right onto Tampico.
Turn left into first driveway.

FROM THE WEST FROM THE NORTH BAY

Follow CA-24 East through the Caldecott Tunnel. From Interstate 80, merge onto I-680 South.
Keep left, follow signs for I-680 N/Sacramento/Concord Exit N. Main Street (southbound) in Walnut Creek.
Take Ygnacio Valley Rd exit. Turn left onto Ygnacio Valley Rd.
Turn right onto Ygnacio Valley Rd. Turn right onto Tampico.
Turn right onto Tampico. Turn left into first driveway.
Turn left into first driveway.

Diablo Valley Perinatal Associates

Jeffrey Traynor, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.; Rosa Won, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
110 Tampico Dr., Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 TEL (925) 891-9033 FAX: (925) 891-9066
©2011 Diablo Valley Perinatal Associates